Dog Breeding

The estrous (commonly called "heat") cycles and spaying (removal of reproductive organs – the uterus and ovaries) in female dogs are topics of many questions and also some serious misconceptions. Let’s take a moment and look at some of the most commonly asked questions about "heat" cycles and spaying.

I am not even going to start hounding you on the millions of animals euthanized each year in shelters or that die on the streets. No one ever thinks this could happen to a litter they breed. I am going to tell you what makes a responsible breeder and the major effort that goes into ensuring the best, healthiest critters possible. Breeding is not just putting two cute dogs together and sixty-three days later you have cuddly pups. Responsible breeding requires work. It is not to be jumped into headfirst.

Sadly, not all people professing to be reputable and responsible breeders are. A good breeder will all but interrogate you. You should also have the chance to question the breeder. If you are not sure or uneasy with an answer, do not hesitate to ask for an explanation. If at any time you get an uneasy feeling or just are not satisfied, look elsewhere. Here are a few things to ask about.

Countless times people who are involved in the "dog world" hear statements that are not true. Yes, pedigrees are important but do they guarantee health? Are all dogs that are registered quality? Does having registered parents mean the dog is registered? Are pedigrees important to even the person just looking for a pet? The answer to all these questions is both yes and no.